05.23.11

Kathryn Klee Gips Ross, wife of the late Arthur M. Ross, Jr., died at Whitney Center on May 23rd. She was 89 years old. Mrs. Ross is survived by her 6 children and 4 grandchildren. She and her husband were married for 59 years. Her children are Judith Ann Ross of Milwaukee, WI and her fiancé Ronald Sinclair also of Milwaukee, William David Ross and his wife Carolyn, of Ridgefield, CT, Sarah Jane Ross and her husband Derek Mali, of N.Y.C., Martha Ellen Ross and her partner Robin Green of Kansas City, MO, Michael Gips Ross and his wife Beth Stenger of Hamden, CT and Jonathan Klee Ross of New Haven, CT. Her grandchildren are Nina Ross, Joshua Ross, Zachary Ross, and Eliana Ross. Mrs. Ross was active in many volunteer organizations and sat on numerous community boards including the Neighborhood Music School, the Yale University Women’s Organization and the Auxiliary of the Yale-New Haven Hospital. She was a volunteer at YNHH for 55 years and received the A. H. A. Award for Caring. Mrs. Ross was the organizer and original founder of Ridge Top Club, a family swimming and tennis club in North Haven. She was also a founding member of the North Haven League of Women Voters. She was a member of the Congregation Mishkan Israel.

Funeral service at the Congregation Mishkan Israel, 785 Ridge Rd., Hamden, Wednesday at 2:30 pm. The interment will be in the Mishkan Israel Cemetery, Jewell St., New Haven. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Yale University Women’s Organization (YUWO) Scholarship Fund or the Ross Library Fund at Congregation Mishkan Israel.

11 Comments

My deepest sympathies to the family of Kay Ross, a wonderful lady I had the privledge of knowing over the bridge table. Kay and I were members of the Singles Bridge Group that meets in Hamden twice a month, and she was always pleasant and gracious. She was a great cook and always ready for one of our social get togethers.She was very spec8ial.

Dear Rosses,
I am so sad to hear this news. Kay was always so welcoming to me, always remembered me as “Corey’s mother,” and we had several musical adventures together, including my nervously playing the “piano” up in the guest cottage at Grand Lake. She was quite the resourceful, resilient, intelligent, generous and talented woman. She will be greatly missed!
Love,
Amy Stevens

We did not know Kay, but we know her daughter Martha, one of our dearest friends, who reflects her mother’s intelligence and generous spirit. Our hearts go out to her and to her family at this sad time. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Donna Holman and Vickie Hollingsworth

Dear Rosses,
Kay has always been a special person in my life and in my heart. When Dorothy died, Kay was an invaluable support to all of us Higginses as we tried to make difficult decisions and figure out life without Dorothy. She was, for all those many decades, one of Mom’s dearest friends and the amazing mother of all of you, the most important persons from my childhood. My thoughts are with you all.
Love,
Jane

Dear Judith, I am so sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing and especially at a time like this for you. My sympathy and love goes out to you. I looked so very much to meeting her. You are in my prayers and may she be at peace.

I was so sorry to learn of Kay’s death, and regret that I was unable to attend the funeral. Kay and I shared many interests and activities, including Volunteering at Yale New Haven Hospital and serving on the planning committee of Lunch and Learn,part of the Yale University Women’s Organization. In the last few years I had the priviledge of getting to know Kay even more as I would pick her up at Whitney Center and during the drives together shared many stories and experiences, including Scarsdale, where my daughter lives ,and where Kay grew up.
It was particularly appropriate that a scholarship was names in Kay’s honor, and we were so happy that Kay and Sally were able to attend the luncheon and that Kay gave a wonderful talk.
It was a pleasure and honor to know Kay and I will miss her and her wise consul and observations.
May she rest in peace.
Stephanie Jatlow

Kay will be missed by the many whose lives she touched over the decades- She was so active and giving of herself, and an example to all of how to live a “complete” life. I was fortunate to know her in her many capacities and see firsthand how she changed the lives of all she encountered. We of YUWO were honored with her presence at the Annual Luncheon earlier this month, and pleased that she was in such good spirits, and thankful that she could be there to present the “Ross Scholarship” and say a few words to us.We all have benefited from her friendship and leadership- now we should continue her teachings. Carolyn Westerfield

In addition to years of working together (and enjoying) the Yale University Women’s Organization (YUWO) projects and activities, Kay & I shared important experiences. We both grew up in Scarsdale and attended the same very progressive grammar school. We had fun identifying each other in the book that celebrated that school’s educational methods. We could also find each other in high school year books of various years. She was a key member of YUWO & will be sorely missed.
By the way, the service was lovely & I am sure she would have approved of it.

Dear Judy,
I just found out about your Mom’s death, and I am so sorry.
Please tell Bill, Sally, Martha, Michael, and Jonathan how sad I am.
I have so many memories of play dates and birthday parties at 100 Mountain View Terrace. I hope that you will be in touch with me, since all I know(from the article) is that you are living in Wisconsin.
I am so glad that I stopped awhile back to visit with her when she was living on Glen Parkway. I do hope we can connect when you are up to it.
Love,
Bobbsie

I was deeply saddened to hear of Kay’s passing – I am so sorry for your family’s loss, and the Goldenberg-Hart family mourns with you. Kay and Art made all the difference for us when we moved to New Haven (Mike Gompertz brought us together), basically adopting our family and helping us get through some of our most challenging times, and helping us celebrate some of the most joyous. We will be forever grateful to Kay for her kindness, warmth, and generosity. I’m so glad she was able to visit us in DC a couple of years ago – the kids’ memories of her are still fresh and we have good times of the recent past to help console us. I can’t imagine a New Haven without Kay – she will always be in our hearts.